Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Air Apps

Location: Rome, Lazio, Italy (On-site)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX)

Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on designing intuitive and delightful user experiences across mobile (iOS, Android) and web platforms, requiring a strong understanding of user-centered design principles.

• The Product Designer will be instrumental in developing and maintaining design systems and component libraries to ensure visual consistency and scalability across all product touchpoints.

• A key aspect of this position involves close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and User Research teams to translate complex requirements into elegant, user-friendly solutions.

• The role demands ownership of the end-to-end design process, from initial concept ideation and user flows to final visual design, ensuring a pixel-perfect and responsive user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities heavily emphasize user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, particularly across multiple platforms. The role requires a blend of user research, visual design, and strategic product thinking. The "On-site" requirement in Lisbon is a critical detail, despite the listed location being Rome; relocation support is offered. This indicates a potential need for candidates comfortable with international relocation or understanding the company's global operational structure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews and usability testing, to gain deep insights into user needs, pain points, and behaviors, subsequently translating these findings into actionable wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Develop, document, and maintain robust design systems and component libraries that enforce a consistent look and feel across iOS, Android, and web interfaces, while adhering to platform-specific design patterns and guidelines.

• Own the complete product design lifecycle, from initial concept ideation and user flow mapping to the final execution of visual design, ensuring a pixel-perfect and responsive user experience optimized for diverse devices and screen sizes.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to influence product strategy and define clear requirements, while partnering effectively with Engineers to ensure technical feasibility and facilitate a seamless handoff of design assets and specifications.

• Drive iterative design improvements by analyzing user feedback, A/B testing results, and product analytics, with a continuous focus on enhancing user satisfaction, engagement, and retention metrics.

• Act as a vocal advocate for user experience best practices within the organization and actively contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, tooling, and the overall team culture.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented design environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive and end-to-end design ownership, requiring not just execution but also strategic input and continuous improvement based on data. The emphasis on design systems and cross-functional collaboration points towards a mature product development environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience: Approximately 3+ years of professional experience in product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing modern design and prototyping tools.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.

• Strong understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and a keen eye for detail and usability.

• Familiarity with native mobile design patterns (Apple's Human Interface Guidelines for iOS and Google's Material Design for Android).

• Knowledge of responsive web design principles and best practices.

• Proven experience in conducting user research, usability testing, and effectively integrating qualitative and quantitative feedback into design iterations.

• Ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive user flows and elegant interface designs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience developing and managing design systems and component libraries.

• Familiarity with AI-driven product development or resource planning tools.

• Understanding of front-end development principles to facilitate better collaboration with engineers.

• Experience with A/B testing and data analysis to inform design decisions.

• Ability to provide mentorship and guidance to junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is specific (3+ years) and directly tied to proficiency with industry-standard design tools. The inclusion of both mobile platform guidelines and responsive web design indicates a need for a versatile designer. AI-related product experience is a plus, aligning with the company's mission.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design process for mobile (iOS/Android) and web applications.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, user research methodologies employed, design solutions, and measurable outcomes.

• Examples showcasing the development and application of design systems or component libraries.

• Prototypes and high-fidelity mockups that highlight interaction design and visual polish.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document user flows, interaction designs, and final UI specifications clearly and concisely.

• Experience in creating and maintaining style guides and design system documentation.

• Familiarity with design handoff processes and collaboration with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evidence of design capabilities. The emphasis on case studies with measurable outcomes and the demonstration of design systems indicates a structured and results-oriented approach to design is expected.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €36,000 - €46,000 per year (EUR)

Benefits:

• Apple hardware ecosystem provided for work.

• Annual Bonus opportunities.

• Top-tier Health and Life Insurance coverage.

• Transportation Budget to support commuting.

• Comprehensive Coverflex benefits package (meal allowances, well-being, etc.).

• Childcare support.

• "Air Conference" - an event for team meetups, collaboration, and growth.

• Pension Fund for long-term financial planning.

• Urban Sports Club membership for fitness and well-being.

• Meals are 100% free at the company hub.

Working Hours: The standard work week is likely 40 hours, typical for a full-time role, with flexibility expected around project deadlines and collaborative needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided. The benefits package is extensive and employee-focused, aiming to support well-being, work-life balance, and professional development. The "On-site" nature of the role in Lisbon means benefits like free meals and transportation budgets are directly applicable.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically AI-powered Personal & Entrepreneurial Resource Planning (PRP) software.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, reaching "over 100 million downloads worldwide" suggests a significant user base and likely a growing team, probably in the range of 50-250 employees given its self-funded status and global reach.

Founded: 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will be part of a cross-functional product team, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and User Researchers.

• The design team likely includes other designers who provide opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.

Methodology:

• The company utilizes AI-driven solutions to empower users in planning, working, and living.

• Design processes are user-centered, incorporating research, iterative design, and data analysis (A/B testing, analytics).

• A strong emphasis is placed on collaboration and continuous improvement of processes and tooling.

Company Website: https://www.airapps.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Air Apps positions itself as an ambitious, fast-paced, and mission-driven organization. The culture appears to value innovation, user impact, and a collaborative approach to product development. The self-funded status suggests a strong emphasis on sustainable growth and strategic decision-making.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Product Designer. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of significant product areas and contribute to strategic product direction.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a Senior Product Manager, depending on the team's specific structure.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly influences user acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall product success by creating intuitive and effective user experiences for a globally used AI-powered resource planner.

Growth Opportunities:

• Develop expertise in AI-driven product design and resource planning solutions.

• Gain experience in building and scaling design systems across multiple platforms.

• Advance to Senior Product Designer roles, leading larger projects or design initiatives.

• Potential to move into leadership positions, such as Design Lead or Manager, as the team grows.

• Opportunities for skill development through mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and potentially internal workshops or external training supported by the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a growth opportunity for designers with a few years of experience, offering a chance to impact a widely used product and develop specialized skills in AI-driven design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "fully onsite," requiring the designer to work from the Air Apps office in Lisbon. Relocation support is offered, indicating an international presence and a desire to bring talent to their primary hub.

Office Location(s): Lisbon, Portugal (primary hub), with offices also in San Francisco. The job posting lists Rome, Italy, as the location, but the description clarifies the role is onsite in Lisbon. This discrepancy needs clarification but suggests a global team structure with potential for cross-office collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as dynamic and fast-paced, encouraging collaboration.

• Access to Apple hardware ecosystem and an inclusive design environment.

• The company likely fosters an open-door policy for collaboration between design, product, and engineering.

• On-site perks like free meals and a supportive culture contribute to the work environment.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with the expectation of flexibility to meet project demands and collaborative needs, especially given the fast-paced nature of the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "fully onsite" requirement in Lisbon is critical, despite the listed location. This implies a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration and team cohesion. Candidates should be prepared for this requirement or confirm if remote work within Italy is an option in specific circumstances.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and design experience.

• Portfolio Presentation: An opportunity to present your work, discuss your design process, highlight key case studies, and explain your contributions and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your rationale behind design decisions.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be asked to complete a take-home design exercise or participate in a live design critique/problem-solving session to evaluate your skills in action.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or founder to discuss overall alignment with company vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills and experience relevant to this role (mobile, web, design systems, user research).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your specific role and responsibilities, your design process, key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the quantifiable results or impact.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Demonstrate your thinking, research methodologies, iteration cycles, and how you leveraged user feedback.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with cross-functional teams (PMs, Engineers, Researchers) and how your contributions integrated with their work.

• Tailor to Air Apps: If possible, subtly align your case studies with the company's mission of AI-powered resource planning or demonstrate an understanding of user needs in that domain.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to articulate your design process clearly and concisely.

• Practice explaining complex design decisions and trade-offs.

• Prepare to discuss how you incorporate user feedback and data into your designs.

• Understand Air Apps' product and target audience to better contextualize your problem-solving approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on portfolio review and design challenges, testing both conceptual thinking and practical application. Preparing to articulate your process and impact is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely as industry standard), Sketch, Adobe XD. Proficiency in at least one is required, with Figma being preferred.

• Design Systems: Experience with creating, maintaining, and utilizing design systems and component libraries.

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for user interviews, usability testing, and survey platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Typeform, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).

• Collaboration & Handoff: Tools like Zeplin, Abstract, or Figma's built-in developer handoff features for seamless integration with engineering.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design integrates with user journeys managed by CRM and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern design roles. The emphasis on design systems and user research tools is also critical. Experience with analytics tools demonstrates a data-driven approach to design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Think Bigger & Move Faster: A culture of ambitious goals and agile execution.

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs.

• Innovation: Encouraging creativity and challenging the status quo with AI-driven solutions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams to achieve shared objectives.

• Impact-Driven: Focusing on creating solutions that genuinely make a difference in people's lives.

Collaboration Style:

• Open and cross-functional, with designers working closely with Product Managers and Engineers.

• Emphasis on constructive feedback and continuous improvement of processes.

• A supportive environment where mentorship and knowledge sharing are encouraged.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values innovation, speed, and user impact, supported by a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a complex AI-powered resource planner that needs to be intuitive and powerful across different user segments (personal and entrepreneurial).

• Maintaining design consistency and scalability across mobile (iOS/Android) and web platforms, while respecting platform-specific nuances.

• Balancing user needs with technical constraints and business objectives in a fast-paced environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in AI-driven product design.

• Master the creation and management of comprehensive design systems.

• Gain exposure to international product development and diverse user bases.

• Opportunities for mentorship and professional growth within a growing tech company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a growing tech company with an innovative product, offering significant learning opportunities and the chance to shape a product with global reach.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk me through a project where you had to balance user needs with significant technical constraints." (Focus on your problem-solving process and trade-offs).

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for an AI-powered planner, considering user privacy and data security?" (Assess your strategic thinking and ethical considerations).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Air Apps' mission to create an AI-powered Personal & Entrepreneurial Resource Planner?" (Showcase your understanding of their vision and your alignment).

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment?" (Demonstrate your teamwork and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement increases, task completion times) to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and clear diagrams to illustrate your concepts and process.

• Storytelling: Engage your audience by telling a compelling story about each project.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges, and how you collaborated.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your design process, demonstrating problem-solving skills, and showcasing how your work aligns with Air Apps' mission and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 2-3 case studies that highlight your experience in mobile (iOS/Android) and web design, including examples of user research, wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 3+ years of relevant experience, proficiency with Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD, and any experience with design systems or AI-related products. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, key decisions, and the impact of your work for each portfolio project. Be ready to discuss your approach to user research and iterative design.

• Research Air Apps: Understand their product, mission, and target audience. Familiarize yourself with their existing designs and identify potential areas for innovation or improvement.

⚠️ Important Notice: Applicants are strictly prohibited from using AI-generated assistance for their application materials, assessments, or interviews. Any detected use of AI will lead to disqualification. Ensure all submitted work is your own.